21 Simple Tips For Selling Your Treasures On eBay

My sister had started selling on eBay a few years back. One day she was telling me about all of the success that she was having selling her unwanted treasures. She was now the second person in my close circle that was selling and making money on eBay. The other person was Austin. But you know husbands they do all sorts of crazy things so I pretty much ignored his success.

It was a little over 2 years ago now that I had just finished my spring cleaning for the season and I had so many things that I just couldn’t part with at another yard sale. Although I had perfected yard sales and truly loved them (read my post about it here: How to Make A Fortune And Have Fun At Your Yard Sale!); my yard sales were only generating so much compared to what I could sell some items for on eBay. Especially my budding purse collection that needed to be refreshed. Out with the old, in with the new!!!

So I finally sat down with Austin and he showed me his eBay selling techniques. I can be quite stubborn with learning new things. Especially if it doesn’t entirely interest me, or if I want a nice shortcut. So why not use Austin’s expertise, he had been selling on eBay for years. Small car gadgets and machine parts that he would make good money on. I needed to know his secrets. And quickly, I didn’t have time to waste!

I’m happy to say that we made it, our marriage survived Austin teaching me and me whining about it. We really only got into 5 or 6 arguments after all of my questions (I had about 100 of them) and my incessant asking “But Why”? After all the learning and extensive note taking I truly feel as though I gained a wealth of knowledge.

Literally a wealth. My first sale was over $200 on a purse I had paid only $125 for at a sample sale. What? I can make this much money on one transaction, I must list more items. eBay became a obsession, in my first 6 months I had made over $1000 selling purses, shoes, and clothes (that I obviously bought in sizes way too small hoping that I would fit in them one day). I just couldn’t believe it.

Like I mentioned before I have been selling for roughly 2 years now. I have made well over $2500. That $2500 however includes items that I began helping my mother-in-law sell. $2500 might not be millions but it sure is better than the $50 or so dollars I would have made at a yard sale.

In today’s post I am going to impart on you the wisdom of Austin without the arguments and without me asking “But Why” a dozen times! I hope you enjoy our 21 Simple Tips For Selling Your Treasures On eBay.

Before listing an item search for similar items under the Sold category. This will give you a better perspective on how much you can list your item for.

Before listing an item search for similar items that are currently for sale. You can use the existing post as a template and include similar descriptive text in your listing.

If a similar item is listed currently for sale, reduce your sales price by a few dollars so that people looking for that item will notice yours first.

If you are selling an item that has multiple pieces (unless the pieces need to be sold together out of necessity), separate them. For example I listed a Pandora bracelet with charms all separately. What could have sold for only $200 as a unit has sold for almost 5 times that price with each individual charm being sold separately.

Auction’s are best for unique and rare items or items you believe will be of interest to multiple buyers.

If you are listing an item as an Auction item, list the item on Sunday-Thursday in the evenings when people are home and more attentive to an auction. On Friday-Saturday most people have plans. Most of your bids will occur in the last few minutes of the Auction so don’t worry if you haven’t seen much action.

List items as Fixed Price items, this works particularly well for clothing, handbags, and shoes.

Offer a Buy it Now price to entice quick transactions. This is great for items that sell quickly at a standard price but are not listed that often.

Be realistic with your pricing, if you list too high people will look for like items to purchase instead of yours.

Under Item Specifics include as much detail as you have. The more you can tell someone about the item the more likely they are to make the purchase because they know what they are buying.

Take quality pictures in good lighting of all angles of your items. Ensure that you also give proper measurements to the buyer in the Item Specifics. Consider including a dollar bill or ruler for scale.

You can use the mobile app to easily take pictures, crop/rotate and edit them and then instantly post them to your listing.

If you are listing clothing take pictures of the tags which include washing instructions so buyers know how to care for the item before they purchase it.

Ensure that you list all defects or blemishes explicitly. Include pictures of the defeats, and include phrasing in your post that the price has been adjusted to reflect the current condition of the item.

Offer Free Shipping, you can offset the Free Shipping by increasing your list price by $10 if your item can fit into a flat rate envelope. Also if you offer Free Shipping buyers cannot rate your shipping price which means there is less of a possibility of receiving negative feedback.

This is based on preference but I don’t offer International Shipping. The reason being that the items I am listing are not expensive enough to warrant the shopping costs involved. If you do want to offer International Shipping be sure to use eBay’s global shipping program. You ship it to a local eBay shipping center and they forward internationally. You will need to know all of the dimensions of your package in order to take advantage of this program.

This is based on preference but I don’t offer Returns. The reason being is that a lot of the items I sell are clothing or purses and I am worried that a buyer might have buyers remorse after “using” the item and return it in worse condition. Plus it decreases the hassle of having to wait for a return and process a refund.

Utilize the Shipping Label creation feature on eBay. It is very easy to use and ensures proper procedures. Also link your Pay-Pal account to eBay for ease of purchases and sales. Keep in mind that Pay-Pal and eBay fees apply to every transaction.

Under Listing Duration select Good Til’ Cancelled when an item is listed as a Fixed Price item. This ensures that your item is not removed and can be found in your All Selling section for as long as you would like it to be listed. Be sure to click the Automatically Relist button.

If you receive an offer, counteroffer at least once unless you are wiling to accept the lower offer received.

Maintain positive seller status on eBay by shipping items as soon as they sell. Also leaving feedback and communicating with your buyers if they have questions is a key to positive reviews.

Wow that list is extensive and covers a lot of detail. If you have any questions at all or need clarifications on anything please comment below. I will have my eBay guru Austin answer your questions! If you are curious about checking out what I currently have listed on eBay please take a look. Who knows you might find your next treasure!

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Welcome to Organizing Motherhood. My Name is Julia. Thank you so much for stopping by. I have always been organized, but when my journey of motherhood began my love with organizing really took off. Read more about me on my about page.

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